June 9, 2026

174 The Math Concepts I Finally Understand More Deeply as a Teacher

174 The Math Concepts I Finally Understand More Deeply as a Teacher

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! Can I admit something? There are math concepts I taught for years that I didn’t fully understand conceptually myself. I could teach the procedure. I could explain the steps. But true sense-making? That took time. In this episode, I’m reflecting on the math ideas I’ve come to understand more deeply as a teacher—and how that deeper understanding has completely changed my instruction. 💡 In This Episode: Why proc...

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Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!

Can I admit something?

There are math concepts I taught for years that I didn’t fully understand conceptually myself.

I could teach the procedure.
I could explain the steps.
But true sense-making? That took time.

In this episode, I’m reflecting on the math ideas I’ve come to understand more deeply as a teacher—and how that deeper understanding has completely changed my instruction.


💡 In This Episode:

  • Why procedural fluency is not the same as conceptual understanding
  • The math concepts that challenged me as a teacher
  • Why horizontal transformations feel “backwards”
  • How studying math more deeply changed my instruction
  • Why every math teacher should study above and below their grade level


✨ Key Takeaways

✨ Memorizing procedures is not the same as making sense of mathematics

✨ Deep conceptual understanding changes the way we teach

✨ Students struggle with abstract concepts because they are abstract

✨ Seeing the “big picture” of mathematics makes instruction more intentional


📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice?

Want help creating more meaningful math experiences in your classroom?

👉 Grab the free guide:
 https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice


📘 JULY BOOK STUDY: Math Therapy

We’ll be reading Math Therapy together this July and discussing:

  • math identity
  • confidence
  • productive struggle
  • and emotional experiences in math class

Grab the book here:

📖 Physical book:
 https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook:
 https://amzn.to/49nV55D

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!

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